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People’s awareness levels of radon and associated health risks is declining, says the EPA

Date released: June 24, 2026

  • Radon gas is Ireland’s largest source of radiation exposure and is a leading cause of lung cancer.
  • A new EPA survey of attitudes toward radiation showed awareness of radon gas has dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025.
  • More than half of respondents were unaware of the link between radon and lung cancer. Even when people are aware of radon gas, fewer than half are likely to test their homes.
  • The most significant sources of radiation exposure in Ireland arise from natural radiation in the environment, including radon, and medical exposures. However, people are more concerned about nuclear facilities abroad and damage to the environment. 

24th June 2026: The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) today published the findings of a national survey on attitudes to radiation in Ireland.  Over a thousand adults were surveyed, on behalf of the EPA, to understand public awareness of, and concerns about, radiation. 

The survey indicates that only 31% of respondents are concerned about radiation. Worryingly, the findings revealed the level of awareness of radon had dropped from 82% in 2020 to 71% in 2025. Radon gas is Ireland’s leading source of radiation exposure. It accounts for more than half of the radiation dose received by the Irish population and is the leading cause of lung cancer, after smoking. Radon gas can enter your home from the ground through small cracks in floors and through gaps around pipes or cables.

The survey found most people are:

  • not concerned about the health risk of radon
  • unaware that radon exposure is linked to lung cancer, and
  • unlikely to test their home for radon levels.

Commenting on the survey, Patrick Byrne, EPA Director of the Office of Radiation Protection and Environmental Monitoring, said:

“The EPA is concerned to see a decline in radon awareness, and the continued reluctance among householders to test their homes. We found that many believe that their property is not affected. This is particularly worrying given that radon is our largest source of radiation exposure and a leading cause of lung cancer. Testing for radon in your home is simple and we urge all households to take this step to protect themselves and their families. It costs about €50 and the EPA website has a list of companies that supply the monitors. Reducing you and your family’s exposure to this harmful gas can be achieved using simple and effective methods.”

The survey found that one of the top radiation-related concerns was how nuclear facilities abroad affect Ireland. Dr Kevin Kelleher, EPA Senior Scientific Officer, responded to this, noting:

“Although our survey indicates public concern over such facilities, our research indicates that a nuclear emergency abroad would not have a significant radiological impact on Ireland. However, it is reassuring to see that the public would follow guidance from Government and expert bodies in the event of such an emergency.”

The National Radon Control Strategy which is led by the Department of the Climate, Energy and the Environment brings together departments and state agencies to take action to reduce radon risk. The EPA will use the findings of this survey to strengthen its awareness work under the Strategy to drive testing and remediation to reduce radon risk to people’s health.

Contact:  Emily Williamson, EPA Media Relations Office, 053-9170770 (24 hours) or media@epa.ie. 

Notes to Editor

These findings are from an Interactions Research survey of a nationally representative sample of 1,005 adults aged over 18, conducted online between the 25 November and 6 December 2025.

What is radon? 

Radon is a naturally occurring radioactive gas. It is a carcinogen and is linked to some 350 new lung cancer cases each year in Ireland, making it a serious public health hazard.

How does radon enter homes? 

Radon is formed from the decay of uranium in rocks and soil. It has no smell, colour or taste. Outdoors, radon quickly dilutes to very low concentrations, but when it enters an enclosed space, such as a house, workplace or other building, it can accumulate to unacceptably high concentrations.   Radon moves from the ground into buildings through cracks in floors, gaps around pipes, and other openings. It can accumulate indoors, especially in ground-floor rooms and basements.

About a third of Ireland is classified as a high radon area by the EPA. The EPA recommends that all homeowners in all areas test their homes for radon.  You can check if you are living in a high radon area on the EPA’s interactive radon risk map.

Where can I get a radon test

You can find a list of EPA registered radon measurement services and details about how to test and fix your home on www.radon.ie. The test costs about €50 and is all done by post using one of the services registered with the EPA.  

Testing a home

Two small detectors are sent to your home. One is placed in the bedroom and one in the living room, the rooms most occupied by the family. After three months they are returned to the service provider for analysis. The results will be sent to you together with some advice on what to do next. The whole process is completed by post and there is no need for anyone to visit your home.

What can be done to reduce high radon levels in a home?

Radon problems in a home can be fixed easily and usually without disruption to the household. A booklet entitled Understanding Radon Remediation: A Householder's Guide will help you learn more about the solutions available and how best to deal with the problem.

Nuclear Emergencies Abroad

The risk of exposure of people to harmful levels of radiation following a nuclear emergency is extremely low.   In such an unlikely event, there is a national plan in place to reduce the risk to the people in Ireland, following a nuclear emergency abroad. The plan is called the National Plan for Nuclear and Radiological Emergency Exposures. This National Plan is coordinated by the Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment and involves a number of other government departments and agencies working together, including the EPA. The aim of the national plan is to reduce the exposure of people to harmful radiation following a nuclear emergency.  

Continuous Radiation Monitoring

The EPA’s National Radiation Monitoring Network was established in the 1980s and it is an important element of Ireland’s preparedness and response arrangements under the National Plan.  In the event of a nuclear or radiological emergency, data from the network will support the National Emergency Coordination Group in making decisions on public protective actions. The radiation monitoring stations consist of air samplers, precipitation collectors and instruments to measure gamma dose rate. Met Éireann, the Defence Forces, Local Authorities and the third level institutions UCD and SETU all help to support the work of the national radiation monitoring network. 

The EPA monitors concentrations of radioactivity in the Irish environment to establish baseline levels and assess if there are any trends over time and what this might mean for people in Ireland.   In the EPA marine monitoring programme radioactivity is measured in samples of seawater, seaweed, sediment, fish and shellfish from around the coast of Ireland. The EPA also has monitoring programmes to measure radioactivity in food and drinking water. Levels of radiation in the Irish environment from human-made sources are very low and do not pose a risk to human health or the environment.

National Radon Control Strategy (NRCS): The NRCS is a cross-Government strategy led by the Department of Environment, Climate and Communications and comprises representatives from other key Departments and Agencies.  The main goal of the NRCS is to reduce the number of radon related lung cancers in Ireland. The EPA’s radon risk maps were developed under the Government’s National Radon Control Strategy.